Effect of routine pulse oximetry measurements on ED triage classification.
Pulse oximetry is commonly used to rapidly determine oxygen saturation and is incorporated in emergency triage as a screening for potential cardiopulmonary complications. This study examined the effect of routine pulse oximetry measurements on emergency department (ED) triage classification. Using a portable pulse oximeter, oxygen saturation of 1,235 adults presenting to a university-based, urban ED was obtained and each patient was assigned a classification of severity based on a standard 1-to-4 scale before and after the measurement. According to data obtained, a small but statistically significant group (2.8%) benefitted from the routine use of pulse oximetry in an emergency triage system and only 40% of these patients required admission or extended care. Although this group is small in number, the potential consequences of missing a hypoxic condition could be devastating for the individual patient. Since pulse oximetry is presently an inexpensive technology, it would seem to be a worthwhile screening tool for emergency triage.
Summers
R L
RL
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA.
Anders
R M
RM
Woodward
L H
LH
Jenkins
A K
AK
Galli
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*
D010100:Oxygen